What’s Eating your pet?

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flea prevention, flea protection, fleas, heartworm, heartworm prevention, intestinal parasites, mosquitoes, parasites, Pet Health, roundworm, tape work, tick prevention, tick protection, ticks, wood ticks

What’s Eating Your Pet?

It’s gross and disturbing to think of all the different kinds of parasites that feed on our pets. Most of the symptoms that your pet might exhibit because of a parasite are so subtle and easy to turn a blind eye to. It’s easy to convince yourself that your pet can’t have parasites. But the truth is, they can and they do!

Let’s all say it together “Ew”.

Gross Parasites #1: Fleas & Ticks

Where your pet can get them: In tall grasses, shrubs, wildlife, and from other pets.

How can you prevent it: Frontline – topical monthly medication, Nexgard – oral beef flavored monthly medication, or Bravecto – for dogs a beef chew that last up to 12 weeks and for cats a topical that last up to 12 weeks.

Fleas and Ticks carry and can cause many diseases that can make life very uncomfortable for you and your pet. Faribault Veterinary Clinic recommends that everyone give a monthly preventative to protect our beloved pets.

Gross Parasite #2: Intestinal Parasites – Roundworms and Tapeworms

Where your pet can get them: Fleas, feces, dead animals, wildlife.

How you can treat them: Dewormer such as Drontal Plus.

These parasites might not cause immediate symptoms for your pet, but if the infestation gets large enough, they can cause serious complications. If your pet spends most of the time outside and/or eats feces, dead animals or other nasties, Faribault Veterinary Clinic recommends deworming your pet more frequently than once a year.

Gross Parasite #3: Heartworms

Where your pet can get them: Mosquitos.

Serious complications come from a Heartworm infection and this disease is often fatal for your pet. Treatment for Heartworm Disease is very costly (in the thousands of dollars) and is a long and difficult process.

How can you prevent it: Heartgard, which is a once monthly beef chew.

Have questions?
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PET THEFT…What you should know to keep yor pet safe.

Tags

cat left, dog theft, my cat was stolen, my dog was stolen, Pet theft

HELP! My dog has been stolen…
We hope you never have to say that.

You may or may not be aware that there has been some reports of dog-nappings (& other attempts) in Faribault and the surrounding area for a couple of weeks now.  The ugly trade of pet theft is a serious problem. It is an organized, high dollar business that lurks in shadows and goes unnoticed until it strikes your community, your home, your pet. Protecting your dog takes due diligence.

Why are pets stolen? Besides being sold to research labs (which isn’t as common anymore) or pet stores, they are used in bait and for dog fighting rings, in puppy mills to breeders, for fur, as breeding partners for dogs, and by sadistic individuals.

Pet theft prevention tips:
1. Pets should WEAR TAGS at all times. Rabies and/or license/registration tags are required by law in most towns.
2. TATTOO and/or MICROCHIP all pets for positive identification (it’s best to do both). Tattoo your purebred pet’s registration number (be sure to include registry initials: AKC, UKC, CFA, etc.) or a specific number you register with your veterinarian inside the thigh or on the belly (ears can be torn due to injury, or cut off).
3. REGISTER all tattoos or microchips with the appropriate registry. An unregistered tattoo or microchip is useless. The person who tattoos your pet or injects the microchip should give you information on how to register it.
4. CONFINE your pets. The safest place for them when you’re not home is INDOORS. This includes cats, too!
5. PADLOCK GATES. If you must leave your dog outside in a fenced yard, at least make it difficult for others to get to him. The fence needs to be at least 6 feet high and padlocked.
6. Fit an alarm/bell to your gate so that you can hear visitors/trespassers enter your property.
7. Dogs that are kept tied in unfenced yards should be located OUT OF VIEW of passersby.
8. NEVER let your dog off his chain or leash (if you live in town) – even for a minute – if you won’t be right there to watch him the whole time! In most places it’s illegal (in town), and it’s an open invitation for trouble!
9. Train your dog not to go out of your sight on walks.
10. Don’t leave your dog tied in public places while you go in stores to shop!
11. If you have a doggy door. Lock it when you are not home! Let the dog do its business before you leave, let him in, lock door.
12. SPAY or NEUTER all pets. This makes them less inclined to wander, and eliminates any resale value for breeding purposes.
13. If a stranger approaches you about buying or breeding to your pet, tell him the pet has been spayed or neutered, even if it hasn’t. WRITE DOWN the person’s name, address, and license plate number, and keep a close eye on your pet afterwards!
14. DO NOT put your pet’s name on his ID tag or display it on his dog house. A pet is much more likely to go to (and with) a stranger who calls him by name.
15. DO NOT talk to strangers about the value, bloodlines, training or special abilities of your pet.
16. On the Road: Never leave your dog in an unattended car, even if it’s locked – Besides the obvious health risks this poses to the dog, it’s also an invitation for thieves. You wouldn’t leave your purse or wallet laying in plain view in your car.
17. Take pictures with your dog. (You and other family members) This makes it easier to prove that dog is yours.
18. DON’T BUY STOLEN PETS. Don’t buy dogs from the internet, flea markets, or roadside vans There is simply no way to verify where an animal purchased from any of these outlets came from. Web sites and online classifieds are easily falsified, and with roadside or flea market purchases not only do you not know the pet’s origins but you will never be able to find or identify the seller in case of a problem. Even newspaper ads may be suspect. Adult dogs offered for sale at reduced prices, for a “relocation” fee, or accompanied by requests for last minute shipping fees are red flags. Dog owners who truly love their animals and are unable to keep them will opt to find a loving home without compensation for re-homing the animal. Seek out rescue groups or reputable breeders. A few great rescues in our area are: http://www.rescue55021.com,  http://www.furballfarmpetsanctuary.com , http://www.prairiesedgehs.org .

Visit the home of the breeder, meet the puppy’s mother, and see the litter of puppies. Developing a good relationship with the breeder will bring you peace of mind when purchasing. Contacting breed rescue groups can also be a safe alternative if you are looking for an adult dog. But either way ALWAYS Demand proper papers on your purebred puppy. Ask for the AKC Litter Registration Number and contact AKC customer service at 919-233-9767 to verify registration authenticity of your purebred puppy.

What to do in an emergency if your pet is stolen?

If you believe your pet has been stolen please call the local police department:

Faribault Police: Dispatch (non-emergency): 507-334-4305

Lonsdale Police: Dispatch (non-emergency) : 507-334-4391, Office: 507-744-2300

Montgomery: Dispatch (non-emergency) : 507-364-7700, Office: 507-364-8000, 507-364-8070

Morristown Police: 507-685-4190

Northfield Police: 507-645-4475

Owatonna Police: Dispatch (non-emergency) : 507-451-8232, Office: 507-444-3800

Rice County Sheriff: 507-332-6010

LeSueur County Sheriff: 507-357-4440

Steele County Sheriff: 507-444-3800

 

Then call your local impound  to see if your pet has been brought there and to ask them to let you know if they show up there.

Faribault: Muddy Paws Resort 507-332-8110

Northfield: Country Side Vet Clinic 507-645-4522

Owatonna Impound: Police Dept. 507-444-3800

We also recommend calling the local veterinarian offices to ask if there was any found reports and to leave word that you are missing your dog.

Remember social media is also a great way to get the word out about your missing dog. Post pics on local pages. (garage sale pages, local happening pages, etc.)

Please let us know via Facebook that you are missing your dog and we will post it on our page.

http://www.faribaultvet.com

pets@faribaultvet.com

(507) 334-2068

*Excerpts taken from Fido Friendly magazine

Holiday Dangers For Your Pets

Dr. Casey Rabbe DVM
Faribault Veterinary Clinic

The holidays can be stressful enough, without having to worry about your pet getting into something that could potentially be toxic or harmful. Below is a list of holiday-related items that the veterinarians at Faribault Veterinary Clinic recommend keeping away from your pets to ensure their health and safety this holiday season! Everyone at Faribault Veterinary Clinic would like to wish you and your pets a safe and happy holidays!

Holiday Ornaments:
When decorating for the season, consider your pets. Holiday decorations such as snow globes or bubble lights may contain poisonous chemicals. If your pet chews on them the liquid inside could be could be dangerous to their health. Methylene chloride, the chemical in bubble lights, can result in depression, aspiration pneumonia and irritation to the eyes, skin and gastrointestinal tract.

Tinsel:

If you own a cat, forgo the tinsel. What looks like a shiny toy to your cat can prove deadly if ingested. Tinsel does not pose a poisoning risk but can cause severe damage to a cat’s intestinal tract if swallowed. Ultimately, cats run the risk of severe injury to, or rupture of their intestines and treatment involves expensive abdominal surgery.

Plants:
Though they have a bad rap, poinsettia plants are only mildly toxic. Far more worrisome are holiday bouquets containing lilies, holly or mistletoe. Lilies, including tiger, Asiatic, stargazer, Easter and day lilies, are the most dangerous plants for cat. The ingestion of one to two leaves or flower petals is enough to cause sudden kidney failure in cats. Other holiday pants such as holly berries and mistletoe can also be toxic to pets and can cause gastrointestinal upset and even heart arrhythmias if ingested. Opt for artificial holly berries and mistletoe for a safe alternative.

Alcohol:
Because alcohol is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, it affects pets quickly. Ingestion of alcohol can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar, blood pressure and body temperature. Intoxicated animals can experience seizures and respiratory failure. Additionally, foods such as desserts containing alcohol and unbaked dough that contains yeast should be kept away from
pets as they may result in alcohol toxicity, vomiting, disorientation and stomach bloat. Take extra care to keep food and drinks out of reach of pets.

Holiday Foods:
With the holiday season comes a delightful variety of baked goods, chocolate confections and other rich, fattening foods. However, it is not wise (and in some cases is quite dangerous) to share these treats with your pets. Keep your pet on his or her regular diet over the holidays and do not let family and friends sneak in treats. Foods that can present problems:

• Foods containing grapes, raisins and currants (such as fruitcakes) can result in kidney failure in dogs.
• Chocolate and cocoa contain theobromine, a chemical highly toxic to dogs and cats. Ingestion in small amounts can cause vomiting and diarrhea but large amounts can cause seizures and heart arrhythmias.
• Many sugarless gums and candies contain xylitol, a sweetener which is toxic to dogs. It causes a life-threatening drop in blood sugar and liver failure.
• Leftover, fatty meat scraps can produce severe inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) leading to abdominal pain, vomiting and bloody diarrhea.

Imported Snow Globes:

Recently, imported snow globes were found to contain antifreeze (ethylene glycol.) As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze when ingested by a cat or a tablespoon or two for a dog (depending on their size), can be fatal. Signs of early poisoning include acting drunk or uncoordinated, excessive thirst, and lethargy. While signs may seem to improve after eight to twelve hours, internal damage is actually worsening, and crystals develop in the kidneys resulting in acute kidney failure. Immediate treatment with an antidote is vital.

Liquid Potpourri:

Filling your house with the smell of nutmeg or pine for the holidays may seem inviting—but if you’re partial to heating your scented oils in a simmer pot, know that they can cause serious harm to your cat; even a few licks can result in severe chemical burns in the mouth, fever, difficulty breathing, and tremors. Dogs aren’t as sensitive, but it’s still better to be safe than sorry—so scent your home with a non-toxic candle kept safely out of kitty’s reach.

When it comes to the holidays, the best thing a pet owner can do is get educated on common household toxins and pet-proof your home accordingly. If you think your pet has been poisoned, contact the Faribault Veterinary Clinic immediately at 507-334-2068.

*Information and guidelines provided by Pet Poison Hotline, 24/7 Animal Poison Control Center (855 – 764 – 7661 )

Warning to pet owners regarding new rodenticide (rat poisoning)

Tags

rat poisoning, rodenticide

Many of you know a neighbor or friend with a pet that ingested rat poising. They took their pet to the Veterinarian and after a lengthy hospital stay and extensive medical treatment the pet was released.  This may not be the case anymore…

There are new rodenticides on the market that affect pets differently and unless the pet owner actually sees the animal ingest it, it may be too late for treatment by the time the animal appears sick.

In 2008 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a decision prohibiting the use of second-generation or long-acting anticoagulants (d-Con) in residential Settings.  It was an effort to reduce secondary poisoning in wildlife due to bioaccumulation in the livers of predators.  Manufacturers became compliant with these new regulations in 2011, with many using bromethalin instead of anticoagulants in their products.  There is NO test to detect bromethalins presence AND NO ANTIDOTE!

The rapid onset of bromethalin poisoning leaves veterinarians little time for error.  The symptoms come on faster and it’s harder to treat.  With anticoagulant poisoning veterinarians had three to five days before bleeding began–maybe a week before death.  But with bromethalin, clinical signs associated with CNS edema may be seen within 2-24 hours.  Once the animal starts showing neurological signs–CNS stimulation or depression, abnormal behavior, ataxia, hyperesthesia, seizures, coma–successful treatment becomes more difficult and more expensive.  An animal may have only have a couple of days before succumbing.

The Pet Poison Helpline and d-Con both cite the dangers of using a toxin with no known antidote as reason for the EPA to revisit the 2008 regulation standards.  Thus far the regulation has not changed and on May 30th 2014 the manufacturer of d-CON announced that they will comply with EPA mandates by replacing brodifacoum with diphacinone, a first generation anticoagulant.  While many first generation anticoagulants, such as the prototype warfarin, are shorter acting, diphacinone is not.  This is a good thing.  It gives your Veterinarian more time to treat before irreversible damage occurs.

If you HAVE to use rodenticide, look for one with the active ingredient diphacinone and keep it out of reach of your pets.